BVD test warning
9 February 2001
BVD test warning
BULK milk tests which show low levels of bovine viral diarrhoea antibody could mask the presence of a persistently infected cow in the herd.
According to a study by the Vet Lab Agencys Torstein Sandvick, reported in Vet Record (Feb 3), samples from a Norwiegian dairy herd showed progressively lower antibody levels. But the herd contained a persistently infected cow, acting as a reservoir of the virus.
Dr Sandvick concludes that bulk milk testing is a cost-effective method of screening. But it is important to assess the reproductive performance of the herd and consider other confirmatory tests before a herd is considered BVD-free. *
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